Rayna Gellert

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Rayna Gellert
Gellert-fls.jpg
Gellert at MerleFest 2007
Background information
Born (1975-12-15) December 15, 1975 (age 47)
Origin Indiana
Genres Folk
Americana
Bluegrass
Instrument(s)Violin, acoustic guitar, vocals
Website Rayna Gellert's website

Rayna Gellert (born December 15, 1975) is an American fiddler, acoustic guitarist, singer, and songwriter specializing in old-time music. She grew up in Elkhart, in northern Indiana, formerly lived in Asheville, North Carolina, and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father is the traditional fiddler, banjo player, and singer Dan Gellert. Originally a classically trained violinist, she took up the old-time fiddle in 1994, when she moved to North Carolina to attend Warren Wilson College. [1] She received a bachelor's degree from Warren Wilson College.

Contents

Gellert is a former member of the Freight Hoppers. From 2003 to 2009 she performed and recorded with the all-female old-time band Uncle Earl. In 2003, she was a featured performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. She has also performed with the dance company Rhythm in Shoes, the West African-influenced band Toubab Krewe, Abigail Washburn, and Scott Miller. She has toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Chile.

She has been a finalist at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, Fayette County, West Virginia several times.

Early life

Gellert is the daughter of Dan Gellert, an old-time banjo and fiddle player. Gellert grew up in northern Indiana. [2]

Career

Gellert has played and recorded with Abigail Washburn, Loudon Wainwright III, Tyler Ramsey, Robyn Hitchcock, and others. She has appeared at music festivals including Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and RockyGrass. [2]

Instruments

Gellert plays a fiddle that belonged to her great-grandfather, a Hungarian orchestral musician, and guitar. [2]

Discography

As leader

With Uncle Earl

With Susie Goehring

With Scott Miller

With The Brothers K

With Kieran Kane

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References

  1. "The Swannanoa Gathering- Old-Time Week Staff Pg.1". www.swangathering.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2003. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Coryell Williams, Heidi (May 31, 2013). "The Memory Project: Rayna Gellert". Our State .
  3. "Scott Miller Official Website". thescottmiller.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2022.